In Edmonton, the Nashville Predators’ Juuse Saros made 24 saves to secure a 4-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday. 
“I felt good and the team played really well in front of me,” Saros said. “[My first postseason win] is a big thing. Growing up you always dream about that, but it’s nice to get that one out of the way. I still have a lot of work to do so I enjoy these games and [hope to] get us more wins.”
The win evened the series between the teams at 1-1.
The Preds’ offense was driven by goals from Ryan Johansen, Nick Bonino, Calle Jarnkrok‘ and Viktor Arvidsson.
“I thought the three of them were drivers, playing at a commitment level you need to have when you don’t have the puck,” Predators head coach John Hynes said. “Their decision-making has been good and their intensity level in the offensive zone has been strong, whether it’s been puck battles or getting over pucks and into scoring areas.”
Clayton Keller and Lawson Crouse struck for goals just nine seconds apart, but they in the final minute of the game to have little more consequence than adding window dressing to the effort.
“They have skilled players getting pucks through to the net, so we need to bear down and block,” the forward said. “As long as I’ve been here, that’s never been an issue. Forwards and defensemen, guys are ready to sacrifice and make blocks.”
The two teams are back at it, Wednesday, in Game 3.
[WATCH: All Coyotes vs. Predators highlights]
Darcy Kuemper made 24 saves in the loss.
“I like us getting those two goals at the end,” Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said. “That helps confidence. This game is over for me. Things change so much. You win, everything’s great, you lose, everything stinks. That’s the way the playoffs are. The teams that are even keel are the teams that are successful.”
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